SXSW EDU 2018: Key Takeaways in Learning Science

Lessons Learned at our SXSU EDU Learning Lab

We’ve been fortunate to connect with so many bright thinkers and passionate educators in our Learning Lab at SXSW EDU 2018 in Austin, Texas. We’ve had great conversations about the role of learning science in the classroom, the importance of social and emotional learning, and the future of equity in education. Many have also stopped by to help us give back to local school projects through DonorsChoose.org, which has been exciting to see — for those of you who didn’t make it to SXSW EDU, you can still browse through the projects on DonorsChoose.org on your own!

Here are some key takeaways from the panels and conversations in the 2018 SXSW EDU Learning Lab:

Understanding & Practicing the Science of Learning

For many, it can be challenging to connect the science of learning as a field to the tangible work that happens in the classroom. The learning scientists in our learning lab wanted to change that: Christine Gouveia, VP of Applied Learning Sciences at McGraw-Hill Education and Tanya Joosten of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee held a talk around “Learning Science in the Wild,” where they broke down the practical implications of the complex field of study. We livestreamed the talk on our Facebook page, and you can see the replay of the livestream here:

Melina Uncapher of UC San Francisco and Christine Gouveia, VP of Applied Learning Sciences at McGraw-Hill Education gave a presentation on how learning science can help us become better learners:

Find a handout that breaks down some key concepts of the discussion below:

Finding a Student-Centered Approach to Social & Emotional Learning

The importance of student well-being is more pressing than ever. Many educators are taking their social and emotional learning initiatives a step further by sharpening their understanding of SEL down to a student-centered approach. Social and emotional learning is about empowering every child with the skills they need to thrive as successful students, confident workers, and satisfied human beings. It only follows that the lessons and techniques we employ to provide students with these skills are tightly aligned to individual student needs. See below for resources to refine your student-centered approach to social and emotional learning:

The Overlooked R

Carol Dweck Revisits the 'Growth Mindset'

Student-Centered Discipline Promotes Social Emotional Learning - Social Emotional Workshop

4 Ways to Embrace Kindness in Middle and High School

Envisioning the Future of Educational Equity

Heath Morrison, President of McGraw-Hill Education School Group, Pedro Martinez of San Antonio ISD, Lou Pugliese of Arizona St. University, and Bill de la Cruz of Denver Public Schools served on a panel called “Three Ways Education Leaders Are Thinking About Equity” in our Learning Lounge at SXSW EDU. Each panelist brought a unique perspective to the conversation, outlining the challenges they’ve seen in their communities around equity and access, and the solutions their teams are exploring to combat those inequities. We livestreamed the panel on our Facebook page, and you can watch the replay of the livestream here:

Find more resources on understanding and working towards educational equity here:

Striving for Inclusivity and Equity in Math Class

Education Equity | Edutopia

English Learners in K-12 Education: What Does the Research Tell Us?

The Engage for Equity Toolkit

Learn more about SXSW EDU 2018: